It was a pleasure to run into Ken Harris at
the Pizza House today!! We have enjoyed Alan Vandiver as our
District Ranger, and Don Hall as acting Deputy District Ranger. Don
Hall has planned to retire the end of the year and we will really
miss him a great deal. Alan has moved to the coast.
Now Ken Harris will take the helm as the new District Ranger on the
Happy Camp and Oak Knoll Ranger District. Ken was just on the
Salmon/Scott River Ranger District.
Ken’s a long-time resident of Siskiyou County, Etna precisely. His
career began as a firefighter on the Angeles National Forest and he
spent a year in Alaska before coming to the Klamath for the first
time in 1978. After earning a degree in Forest Management from
Humboldt State University in 1980, he worked on the Scott River,
Ukonom, Salmon River , and Oak Knoll Ranger Districts. Harris also
served on the Lassen National Forest before coming back to the
Klamath to work on the Goosenest Ranger District in 2006. That is
where our son Stephen has been working summers and met Ken Harris.
Ken even took a break in his Forest Service career, as my husband
Dan did, and also taught school during that time. Harris was a
consultant for private landowners as well as teaching. Theresa
teaches school at Scott River Junior High School in Fort Jones .
Together they have three children: Kari, a college student in San
Diego ; Staci, who lives and works in Etna; and Ashley, a college
student in Kansas.
As a District Ranger, Harris looks forward to working with all
interested publics and people who have different viewpoints. He
said, “The Happy Camp/Oak Knoll District has phenomenal resources.
It’s possible, and desirable, to bring differing interests together
to work toward solutions so we can manage these resources wisely.”
Harris has been a member of the Etna Lions Club, coached sports
teams, and officiated at high school and youth football in Siskiyou
County .
Personnel are changing all over the Klamath Forest . Patty Grantham,
Deputy Forest Supervisor since February 2007 and acting Forest
Supervisor for the past five months, has been named as the new
Forest Supervisor for the Klamath National Forest .
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING — POST FIRE TIMBER SALVAGE
Location: Happy Camp Grange Hall
Date/Time: October 2, 2007 at 6:30 PM.
By Alan Vandiver, District Ranger
The recent fires in the Happy Camp Ranger District were generally of moderate and low intensity. In most areas, overstory mortality was scattered or confined to small groups of trees. However, on about 15% of the burn area, fire was intense enough to kill larger groups of mature trees.
Just after September 1st, I began to gather preliminary data on these areas. This initial effort will be complete by the end of the month. On October second, my staff and I would like to present this information to you and hear your thoughts on how this timber should be used. We are particularly interested in your thoughts on harvest, retention for ecosystem function and burned area harvest effects such as yarding systems, soil and watershed effects.
I would also like to use this notice to provide a brief update about ongoing rehabilitation and repair efforts associated with the fire.
Roads: Where draws were intensely burned above roads, there is a higher risk that debris will wash down hill to plug culverts. This would, in turn, wash out roads and deliver sediment into streams. We have mapped these high risk areas and are developing a plan to patrol/clean these culverts during the upcoming rainy season. It looks like funding will be available to do this.
Although I closed roads for safety reasons during the fires, I began opening roads as safety concerns diminished. All roads that were open prior to the fires have been reopened.
Fireline: I was, and continue to be, very concerned about repair of the dozer line built during the fires. All indirect dozer line has now been water barred and covered with slash to reduce watershed, soils, fisheries and wildlife impacts. Crews and equipment continue working on perimeter and interior dozer lines.
Silviculture: As smoke cleared and dust settled, District personnel began to evaluate mortality in harvested stands. This effort began with a helicopter flight on August 28. District personnel mapped concentrations of mortality in large trees and in plantations. Unfortunately, more than 1000 acres will need to be replanted. Plantations at the heads of draws which aligned with the wind during the fire suffered complete mortality in many cases. Since the first part of September, we have been building on this initial aerial mapping to plan reforestation efforts for next year.
I look forward to visiting with you on October 2nd and to hearing your thoughts and concerns regarding post fire management.
The above photos of Happy Camp during the ’87 fires are by Jim Waddell and Kerry Waddell respectively. Thank you for sharing the photos with Happy Camp News readers!
Just two days before Labor Day, 1987, after a summer of rainless heat had baked the woods to kindling, over 11,000 lightning strikes hit and the western states began to burn. During the following 8 weeks the worst fires in nearly 100 years devastated 9 states, including 1,300 square miles in California and Oregon. The wildfire devastation included 406 square miles of the Klamath National Forest and became known as “Fire Siege ’87″.
During the first week of the fires 1,274 people were involved with fighting 20,675 acres of wildfires on the Klamath National Forest. By the eighth week 75 wildfires had burned a total of 258,764 acres, or 15%, of the 1.7 million land base of the Klamath National Forest.
The lives of three firefighters were claimed by “Fire Siege ’87″ on the Klamath National Forest. Heavy smoke trapped by temperature inversions plagued firefighters and rural residents for weeks on end. Firefighters from across the country, including U.S. military, federal, state and county agencies, as well local residents joined forces to combat the fires. At the peak some 8,003 people battled the wildfires.
The parallels between “Fire Siege ’87″ and the recent China-Back and Elk Complexes are impressive, stated Forest Supervisor Peg Boland. “It takes all of us working together to manage a major fire suppression incident. The help we recently experienced is an excellent example of working together to successfully achieve a common goal that benefited the communities as well as National Forest natural resources.”
The Klamath National Forest Announces the Reopening of Three Existing Klamath River Closures and Continuing One Closure
Yreka, CA–Klamath River access has been reopened for the following areas; Indian Creek Access, Curly Jack Day Use Access, and Chamber’s Flat River Access. This is a result of increased containment of the Elk Complex wildfire and reduced conflict with helicopter operations. However, boaters need to avoid landing on the fire side of the Klamath River (east or south side depending on the orientation of the river segment). Hazards still exist in the fire area including loose rocks and debris, as well as a high number of rattlesnakes.
Based on concern for the safety of the public and firefighters, the Wingate Bar River Access area, located in the W ¼ of Section 5, T.15 N., R.7 E., HM, continues to be closed to launching of boats.
Total Complex Acreage: 16,449 acres
Incident Resources: 805 personnel
Total Complex Containment: 80%
Cost to Date: $17,400,000
Injuries to Date (minor): 15
Fatalities to Date: 1
Expected Full Containment: 8/05/2007
Siskiyou County Public Health Officer, Stephan Perlman, M.D., again wants to advise residents throughout Siskiyou County to be aware that air quality may be extremely poor in some areas due to severe smoke today. Residents in areas with poor air quality are advised to remain indoors and refrain from physical exertion. In areas with visibility less than 2 miles, drivers are cautioned to drive carefully and to turn their headlights on as they drive through the area. Firefighters plan to continue to use aerial ignition to burn portions of the interior of the fire on the King Creek 2/Wingate/Titus Fires. This involves releasing ping pong ball size incendiaries (PSD’s) as the helicopter flies over the area to be burned. As the fire slowly backs down towards the Klamath River the percentage of containment will rise. Crews are continuing to secure established firelines. Patrol and mop up continue on the Little Grider Fire.
Of the thirty identified fires in the Elk Complex, 25 are 100% contained. The contained fires will continue to be monitored, patrolled and staffed as necessary. The remaining five fires are as follows:
* Wingate/Titus/King Creek 2 acres is 13,381 acres (increase in acreage due to limited burning of interior) and 76% contained. Firelines have been constructed and limited burning of interior areas will continue. A closure for campers and miners, from Five Mile Bridge to Norcross Campground on Elk Creek Road remains in place.
* Elk Fire (1,144 acres) 96% contained and remains in aerial patrol.
* Hummingbird Fire (80 acres) 0% contained. The fire remains in aerial patrol.
The Forest Service, in cooperation with the Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District, has installed an air quality monitoring station in Happy Camp. Real-time data may be viewed online at SatGuard.
Crowds at the Town Meetings have noticeably thinned. There was no one from the Sheriff’s Department advising us on evacuation plans. There was no one from the National Type 1 Team under Mike Dietrich because the teams changed on Monday. Kent Swartzlander, Incident Commander a couple of weeks ago, and his team are back to work on the fire for the next couple of weeks.
All the news was good news. While there were questions, more than one citizen in the meeting made a point to say “thank you” to the firefighters for their work and professionalism and for keeping us informed.
They are still watching, patrolling and mopping up. Elk Creek Road is still closed at Five-mile Bridge.
Phyllis Swanson, who wore a National Park Service patch on her shoulder, was the Public Information Officer who began the meeting. Don Hall, Deputy District Ranger was back from a few days off, which we were glad to hear. Fatigue management is important in keeping our firefighters and all of the planning and support personnel safe. Being overly fatigued from too many 14 to 16 hour days is a good way to have casualties.
Harold Tripp of Karuk Department of Natural Resources says that he was very pleased with both teams that have been here working these fires. He said it used to be that he didn’t like some of the back burns, but when done carefully, keeping low intensity and slowly creeping down hill, he has seen how very effective it can be.
Present manpower is about 900 firefighters and in the next four or five days it will be reduced to half that. At the same time, they will continue to monitor and patrol, and there will be restoration and repair projects going on.
The nice thing about these public Town Meetings is the opportunity to meet new residents to Happy Camp. It was an added joy and good occasion when we face possible disaster together. The main theme of tonight’s meeting was that we are very grateful for the work, skill, and abilities of the firefighting teams who save our town and community!
ONE LAST THING, this story could have had a much more disastrous ending if it had not been for our Fire Safe Council. They have worked for the last few years to put a ring of protection around our community so that a wildfire coming our way could be more easily controlled. If you appreciate their work, please tell them so. Better yet, volunteer to help them as they are very busy people who put in a great many hours to help the community in this way. Duane Armbruster, 493-2740, also put up the sign, by the car wash. George Harper, Carol Sharpe, and George Bernhard are crucial personnel on this volunteer organization that helps keep us safe from fire.
YREKA, CA – The victim of yesterday’s helicopter crash has been identifiedas Dennis Luster Davis, 61, of Boise, ID. Davis was a pilot for Idaho Helicopters, Inc., also of Boise, ID, and flew a Bell 205, type 2 helicopter, tail number 205BR. Davis’ helicopter crashed at 10:15 am as he was providing logistical support to crews fighting the Elk Fire. The Elkfire is one of 30 fires within the Elk Complex; 24 of the 30 fires are 100% contained.
At 12 p.m. yesterday, aviation operations were suspended on the Elk Complex. Suspending air operations is routine following aviation accidents. Aviation resources resumed regular operations this morning.
A USDA Forest Service National Accident Investigation Team under the leadership of Jim Sedell arrived today, and has initiated their investigation.
The news on the Elk Fire Complex had particularly encouraged those involved because of only minor injuries. An amazing feat, since the fires are in steep isolated terrain that in some cases is very treacherous. Fire fighters are working in one of the most dangerous of professions. Today, however, the news has come that this morning shortly after ten oclock, a type 2 helicopter went down in the Norcross Area. Officials have confirmed that there was a fatality.
When the threat of wildfire comes against a community, we cheer and thank the firefighters who come in to save our town, our homes, and perhaps the lives of many in the face of wildfire. Sometimes in the fighting of the fire, some even loose their lives. Our heroes are not invincible. Perhaps that is why they are our heroes, knowing the risks, they gave their all in trying to protect people in a remote community.
Our thoughts and prayers go out for the family and friends of the helicopter crew. If we could, we would give them a collective hug from the whole community. We had hoped that such a sad tragedy would not occur here. It has been a somber day in Happy Camp.
Total Complex Acreage: 9,085 acres              Â
Incident Resources:1,145 personnelTotal Complex Containment: 22%               Expected Full Containment:7/29/2007Cost to Date:$8,201,274                                       Injuries to Date (minor): 8Structures Threatened: 550 The top priority is the protection of the Happy Camp, Hamburg, and Elk Creek communities. Yesterday, crews made great progress constructing fireline (see list below). The burnout on the Little Grider Fire began yesterday and initial results were positive. An increase in smoke is expected in the Happy Camp area. Additional fire activity was observed as a result of a warming trend. Â
Complex Fire Details
Of the thirty identified fires in the Elk Complex, 24 fires are 100% contained. The fires will continue to be monitored, patrolled and staffed as resources allow. The remaining six fires are as follows:
Little Grider Fire (1,952 acres) 50% contained. The first stage of the Perkins Gulch burnout was conducted and yielded beneficial results.
King Creek II Fire (2895 acres) 25 % contained. Firefighters made significant progress on the fire’s southern and western perimeters.
Wingate (916 acres) 5% contained. Crews established a line from Titus Ridge west to the Klamath River.
Elk Fire (1144 acres) 40% contained. Crews are camped near the fire and continue containment efforts.
Titus Fire (2026 acres)5% contained.  A recommended evacuation for homeowners, and closure for campers and miners, from Five Mile Bridge to Norcross Campground on Elk Creek Road remains in place. Firelines have been constructed around structures.
Hummingbird Fire (80 acres) 0% contained.
 Evacuation Planning:
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has taken steps to locate an evacuation center at Seiad Elementary School in the event evacuation becomes necessary. Individuals with special needs, such as those requiring mobility assistance, need to notify the Sheriff’s Office ahead of time.
In the event of an evacuation, small animals will be accepted at Seiad Elementary and large animals may be taken to the Karuk Ranch at China Grade Road at the two-mile marker. All animal owners are asked to be responsible for the feeding and care of their pets at both locations.
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